Ilex – Berry Heavy^® Gold

Native to North America

Fall Interest

Winter Interest

Maintenance Notes

For complete details on growing and getting berries on winterberry holly, please see our Ultimate Guide to Winterberry Holly. 

One male plant will pollinate up to 5 female plants; plant within 50' of one another to assure good pollination. Adaptable to wet soils, does well in light and heavy soils. First class pick for planting in saturated areas. It is best to avoid pruning winterberry hollies, except to remove whole branches for cut flowers or other decorating. Regular pruning or cutting back, however, will impact the number of flowers and the quantity of fruit that the plant sets. Little pruning should be required, though very old branches can be removed in early spring if they are no longer producing vigorous growth. According to the Humane Society of America Ilex berries can be toxic to pets. This is means that the plants are generally identified as having the capability for producing a toxic reaction.

Uses Notes Mass plantings; hedges; cutting gardens. Please Note: To produce berries, you'll need to plant a Mr. Poppins® male winterberry holly as well.

Maintenance Category Easy

Water Category Wet

Blooms On Old Wood

Bloom Time

Flower Form Border Plant, Cut Flower, Landscape, Mass Planting

pH B - pH 5.8 - 6.2

EC (2:1 Extraction Method) 0.6 - 0.9

Fertilization 150 - 300

Light Requirements Medium, High

Water Requirements Dry to Moderate

Pinching and Growth Regulators

Pinch pruning will produce a very full product similar in body to an Itea, versus traditional shearing which produces a tall vase shaped product and typically takes an additional season to produce.

Pest and Disease Management

Aphids

Grower Tips

Use Ilex 'Jim Dandy' as the male pollinator for verticillata